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What size staple for air nailing frames

I am getting ready to assemble frames for my new hive. I am considering using my air stapler. I have a box of 1 3/8" narrow crown staples. Would they be too long? Kelley's assembled the ones in my nuc, and the width is exactly the same.

Re: What size staple for air nailing frames

When the project expands into more than a few boxes, consider a frame assembly jig, as seen in the Build-it-Yourself section. A great complement to a staple gun, and WAY SAFER to the fingers. Don't forget a face shield.

Re: What size staple for air nailing frames

Originally Posted by kilocharlie

When the project expands into more than a few boxes, consider a frame assembly jig, as seen in the Build-it-Yourself section. A great complement to a staple gun, and WAY SAFER to the fingers. Don't forget a face shield.

Re: What size staple for air nailing frames

+1 for a jig they take a bit of time to make but you can roar through 10 frames in no time...watch out for blowouts when you shoot the staples in...i will always have one or two frames that the staples angled in and blewout the other side, just watch the angle you shoot them in and they should be fine...i used titebond II or elmers carpenters water resistant glue...have fun!

Re: What size staple for air nailing frames

Vance - When your finger is feeling better, build that jig. It keeps your hands entirely clear of the shooting direction and you only have to be careful of jams, blowouts and ricochets. It only took me one stapled finger to figure that out.

Also, blowouts are caused by wavy wood grain or pinhole knots near the end of the stick, or sometimes by hitting another staple, nail or screw. If you select only strong, straight grained wood for the frames, it greatly reduces the number of blowouts.

Incidently, when stapling hive bodies, I don't shoot a staple into the top edges of the short ends where the notch for the frame hangers reduces the thickness of the wood from 3/4" to 3/8". Blowouts ruin too many boxes, and there is a lot of work into a box by that time. A metal, 2-inch, 90 degree angle strap repairs the wood if the glue joint doesn't hold it. Screw these in back past the finger box joints.

I find pouring glue into a half soda bottle and applying it with a paintbrush is much quicker than using the squeeze bottle when using the frame jig or when assembling hive bodies. Keep a coffee can or bucket with water and a wet sponge for cleanup.